A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Astley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3367 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Éc.: au 1 d'azur à une quintefeuille d'herm.; à la bord. engr. d'or (Astley); au 2 d'arg. au lion de gu., cour. d'or (Constable); au 3 d'arg. à deux lions léopardés de gu.”
Britainc. 1290
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Map of Britain showing where the Astley arms are recorded
The Astley arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1290.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.
Edward I of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward I of England
1272–1307
Reigning in Britain when the Astley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Astley Family in Britain
The family name Astley finds its roots in the Old English language, derived from the words for an east clearing or an eastern woodland. By the year 1290, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the county of Kent. During this period, the name was closely tied to the ownership of land and the management of local estates. As the family grew, they expanded their influence across different regions of Britain, often serving in local administration or as landholders who played a role in the rural economy. Their presence in early medieval documents highlights their transition from local settlers to a recognized family name that persisted through generations of English history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a cinquefoil pierced erm”
WarwickAstley · Warwick, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Astley arms are recorded
The Astley arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Astley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Warwick.
Origin & History of the Astley Family in England
The surname Astley originates from a place name in England, derived from the Old English words for east and wood or clearing. Families bearing this name were well-established in the county of Warwickshire long before the seventeenth century. By the year 1620, the Astley family held a notable presence in the region, deeply rooted in the local landscape and community life. Their history is tied to the development of English land ownership and the shifting social structures of the Midlands. As the family grew, they became part of the fabric of Warwickshire society, reflecting the typical movement and settlement patterns of families in that era. Their long-standing connection to this specific part of England highlights how surnames often served as markers of geographic origin and local identity during the early modern period.
Astley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
East-leah
Old English for eastern clearing or meadow.
This name
AstleyRefers to a person who lived in or near an eastern woodland clearing.
also spelled
Astlee
Astlie
Related arms
Bowessame arms
Lowesimilar arms
Constablerecorded with Astley, same area
Pigotrecorded with Astley, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Close Rolls, Edward I, 1279–1288
The National Archives, Feet of Fines for the County of Kent, 1182–1307
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
